The Specifics of Skin Cancer Protection

Sun protection, and skin cancer prevention, needs to be an exact science. To get maximum protection from the sun and to minimize your risk of getting skin cancer, you need to be precise. This means that you should be following certain guidelines enacted from years of research by dermatologists and other skin cancer experts. Here are some exact numbers to keep in mind about sun protection:

• Hats – These are an important part of protective clothing you should be wearing when you’re out during the day. You want to wear a hat with a 2 to 3-inch wide brim to fully protect your  head and face. Make sure the material is comfortable and breathable, and that the fit is good enough for your head.
• Sunglasses – The skin around our eyes is very thin and susceptible to wrinkles and sun damage. You want to wear a pair of sunglasses that have a UV blocking rating of 99 to 100%.  This means the sunglasses are able to keep out most of the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
• Shade – It’s important to seek shade when you do need to be outside during the day. The sun’s rays are the harshest between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, so you do want to avoid being under the sun during this time, or if you do need to be outside, that you seek sufficient shade.
• Sunscreen – Using sunscreens is a MUST. When looking for a sunscreen,  you should look for a sun protection factor, or SPF of 30 or  higher with broad spectrum. This means that the product will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Apply a generous amount and make sure you re-apply regularly as sunscreens do wear off after a while.